Little Sister Leaving Town
Whispers of Departure: Tanita Tikaram's Tale of Light and Loss
Lyrics
As always I stop to speak
Expressing the habit of stopping to talk.
Some girls like to say their piece
Noting that some girls like to express their thoughts or opinions.
As always I turn to you
Turning to someone (possibly the listener) for understanding.
Don't understand what you're doing
Expressing confusion or lack of comprehension about the person's actions.
And
Transition, a pause in the narrative or thought.
Light up this town
Describing the act of illuminating the town, possibly metaphorical for excitement.
Grow weary and back down
Feeling tired and withdrawing from the excitement.
It's such an amazing sight
Reflecting on the astonishing sight or experience.
To be found
Expressing the emotion of being discovered or recognized.
Little sister leaving town
Referring to a younger sister who is leaving the town.
Says the poet "I won't grass"
Quoting a poet who refuses to inform on others.
Some things are better left and not taken to task
Emphasizing the idea that certain things are better left unaddressed.
I guess I knew she was a Rose
Recognizing that the sister is like a rose, sensitive and knowing how to endure pain.
She knows what hurts and how to hold
Acknowledging the sister's ability to understand and endure pain.
If your daddy he turned round
Imagining a scenario where the father reacts strongly, and the grass around him reacts audibly.
Let the grass around him scream the sound
Suggesting a dramatic reaction to a revelation or event.
I'm so sorry for these tales you're telling
Expressing regret for the distressing stories the sister is sharing.
Sometimes you can't account
Recognizing that sometimes experiences cannot be explained or justified.
Light up this town
Repeating the imagery of illuminating the town, possibly symbolizing a recurring excitement.
Grow weary and back down
Reiterating the feeling of weariness and withdrawal.
It's such an amazing sight
Re-emphasizing the incredible sight or experience.
To be found
Repeating the sense of being found or recognized.
Little sister leaving town
Reiterating the departure of the little sister from the town.
And sometimes it's absurd
Acknowledging the occasional absurdity of life's events.
A minor triumph when you hear the words
Describing a small victory upon hearing certain words.
"I'm just trying to stake my place
Stating the intention to establish one's place without real fears.
No real fears upon this face"
Asserting confidence despite external challenges.
And my wishes
Referring to personal desires or hopes.
Nobody says
Highlighting the secrecy or unspoken nature of certain wishes.
All the signs when I cross the days
Noting the presence of signs or indicators during life's journey.
I'm just holding back for you
Expressing the act of holding back for someone.
Sometimes that helps too
Acknowledging that withholding information can sometimes be beneficial.
Light up this town
Repeating the theme of illuminating the town, suggesting a cyclical nature of excitement.
Grow weary and back down
Reiterating the feeling of weariness and withdrawal.
It's such an amazing sight
Re-emphasizing the incredible sight or experience.
To be found
Repeating the emotion of being found or recognized.
Little sister leaving town
Reiterating the departure of the little sister from the town.
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